Science and Ethics
Great
progress in the three sciences – biology, chemistry and physics – has brought
about many changes in man’s life and its environment; it has filled in the gaps
between scattered countries into a global village through various
telecommunications, the most recent one being the internet. Today, most ethical discussions deal with the progress in
biology and its consequences for society. Scientific progress, the
driving force for the majority of the changes witnessed in the 20th
century, requires a critical mind, free of prejudice and open to new ways of
thinking. At the beginning of the 19th century, there was a
remarkable rise in academic research at universities, also labeled 'pure'
research. Scientists were not interested in practicalities and were not
concerned with the technological applications of the results of their
endeavors. They proclaimed the neutrality of science, stating that the
advancement of knowledge could not be considered good or bad. In this context,
science was not responsible for its applications, and even less for their
subsequent use.
Industrial
research, on the other hand, was radically different. Although based on the
same knowledge, it had completely different aims and rules. Results were not
owned by scientists, but were the property of the industries financing the
research. The aim was not to acquire new knowledge, but to invent new products
in order to increase profits. Ethical problems were considered to be the
responsibility of the company and not of the scientists. As a result,
discussions concerning ethical problems were more or less absent from both
realms. In academia, scientists were indifferent to the possible consequences
of their work and in Industry; employers did not consider it appropriate for
scientists to worry about ethical problems. Of course, this description of
academic and industrial research is schematic and does not truly represent the
real world. Nevertheless, it still exists and sways the minds of those who have
the greatest influence on our contemporary scientific culture. What are the
most important ethical implications of scientific research and the development
of new technologies? In 1999, UNESCO and ICSU organized a World Conference on
Science, for governments to discuss problems regarding science and society.
They eventually approved a document, the 'Science Agenda—Framework for Action',
that contains a chapter on ethical issues. As this document was approved
following thorough consultation with all UNESCO member states and informed
discussion with their respective scientific communities, it can be considered a
useful reference to identify and deal with ethical problems that stem from
scientific research in a general context.
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